Skid Plates?

Hello folks,
I'm gonna need skid plates for my 03 Tacoma. At risk of product promotion, I hope it's OK to say brand-names- I've been eyeing 'Skid Row' and 'RCI'. Skid Row has a set of 3 that work together, so tempted to go w/them. Front skid plate, transmission plate, and transfer plate. And then maybe the A arm skid plates from RCI.
Just wondering- am I missing something? A maker I mean. Any tips are most appreciated, this is mostly all new to me. I know there's a company outta the Bay area as well (CA). Might need to look at them.
Right now there is just the stock plate under the gas tank, right, would like a beefier one for that eventually. But would like to get the front one ASAP.
Thx!

 

I put the rci one mine

 

Right on, I'll look. Thx

 

Nice. I'm probably gonna go with 'skid Row', get the set of 3 eventually. start w/the front one, more or less like yours. I have to say though for some reason I like the shape of the RCI front. I wonder if I can make the diff. brands work. Thx

 

There are several companies that make them. You'll see a lot for the 2nd gens, but people do still care about first gens.

I would ditch the idea of the A-arm skids - not necessary.

You might be thinking of BAMF - Bay Area Metal Fabrication. I don't remember if they make skids for the 1st gen.

4XInnovations is another that make skids.
https://www.4xinnovations.com/1995-2004-Tacoma-Front-Skid-Plate_p_115.html

Coastal Offroad is another
https://www.coastaloffroad.com/product-page/1st-gen-tacoma-skid-plate-set

BudBuilt:
https://www.metaltech4x4.com/budbuilt-1995-5-2004-1st-gen-tacoma-skid-plates-3-piece-combo/

AllPro makes one, but I'm pretty sure it's specific to their bumper, too.

There are others, too.

Or you can always DIY

 

Right on, thx. a friend just turned me onto 4xinnovations. I like their offering and prices, just gotta paint
'em. I'll check the other links out. I appreciate it, because like you say for limited stuff for the 1st gens. A friend told me A arms are good to cover, I'm not so much in the know.

 

Meh, the A-arms are actually pretty stout. The skids are just extra weight, and extra cost. I can't recall ever hearing of someone bending or damaging one.

 

I went with the budbuilt and like it. Skids make oil changes a little messy but there are access holes to get to the plug.

 

Skidrow makes a quality set, I like the Budbilt IFS skid too because its wider than the All Pro and RCI skids and covers the lower cams. AP and RCIs are more narrow and leave the cams exposed.

I'm currently running All Pro IFS skid because unfortunately it's all that will fit their front bumper, but I have a Skid Row tcase skid that I'm happy with

 

10-4, got it. Thank you for that. I have been thinking 'bout that added weight. I noticed you put some rock-sliders from 4Xinnovations, did you get the square model/says added strength? At some point am hoping to pick some up, but after at least front skid. Thx

 

It's not so much the arms that I worry about, it's the alignment cams on the arms that some skids leave exposed. If you smack an alignment cam hard enough you're gonna have a bad time, not to mention bending the cam tabs.

 

Another vote for BudBuilt. I am running both the IFS the belly pan skids for full coverage from front bumper all the way past the t-case.

 

No, mine are round, but they're the DOM tubing. There's a youtube video of these guys doing drop tests with their sliders. I highly suggest it. I don't have the link off hand but I bet you can just google 4xinnovations drop test or something. I think it's on their website, too...

 

Thank you for the info. notes taken. I appreciate you guys who can inform me what's up. I'll do some research and see more about what you mean.

 

Thank you, I'll check 'em out.

 

Right on. I'll find that video. I think the web-site said the square was a bit more rigid perhaps. I assume you like your rock-sliders. If you would- were they OK to install/weld?

 

Again, thank you. Notes taken. I've been somewhat confused as far as coverage, like you say, some seem to offer more than others.

 

Thank you, and thanks for the pics! Most likely I'm gonna go w/Budbuilt now. I like the idea of covering the alignment cam's. did you go with another 1 or 2 behind the first skid? I haven't even looked at their web-site yet.

 

No, just the front skid. I have the ARB front bumper so weight was a consideration. That’s why I liked the aluminum too. The front skid goes back far enough to give protection for the steering rack which is great. That thing is solid and has taken a few hits without showing anything more than a scratch.

 

Like them so far. Haven't *REALLY* tested them. They're nice to have when washing the truck though (easier to reach the roof, lol). I got them because I was on a trail and flipped a log up and it smacked into my door/rocker panel, so I figured better get sliders sooner rather than later, but that was kind of a freak thing.

Here's the link to my build thread where I did my sliders. Not a super detailed install thread, but you get the gist...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2004-4x4-doublecab-trd.622208/#post-21220089